The Story of David De Gea's 2014/15 Manchester United Season in 10 Games
It has been an iconic season for David De Gea at Manchester United. If it is indeed to be his last, per Jeremy Cross in the Daily Star, he has certainly made a substantial contribution to ensuring United's return to European football.
While success at United is measured in trophies won by the team as a whole, De Gea's back-to-back Fans' and Players' Player of the Season awards at the club tell the story of his influence.
He has made so many remarkable saves this season that some get no mention here—such as saves from Christian Benteke, Papiss Cisse and David Nugent efforts.
The games chosen are a combination of crucial results and games with key De Gea moments. He has been so integral to United that he will be very difficult to replace if he leaves.
Louis van Gaal and United's fans will be hoping whoever replaces him has a lot less work to do next season.
21 September, 2014: Leicester City Away
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The 5-3 defeat to Leicester City was the game in which De Gea must surely have known he was in for a tough time this season. United's defence were calamitously porous, and despite conceding five goals, the 'keeper left with barely a blot on his reputation.
Any hopes of a smoother ride than the previous season felt forlorn. It is easy to imagine De Gea steeling himself for a long season ahead after this one.
Van Gaal tightened up United's system in the wake of the embarrassing defeat, but his goalkeeper would still have plenty to keep him busy as the months progressed.
5 October, 2014: Everton at Home
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De Gea's performance against Everton at Old Trafford was the kind of display that makes superlatives feel redundant. United's attacking unit struggled, although Angel Di Maria—then still in fine form—provided the impetus needed to get United the win.
It was left to the 'keeper to ensure Di Maria's attacking contribution counted for all three points. He saved a penalty from Leighton Baines on the stroke of half-time, meaning Old Trafford rang to the sound of his name being chanted as the players went down the tunnel for their break.
However, that was not De Gea's best moment. He pulled off a fine save from Leon Osman as Everton desperately pushed for an equaliser. And what came next was genuinely remarkable. Gareth Barry smashed a shot from close range, which was blocked in front of De Gea after he had dived.
The ball ricocheted out to Bryan Oviedo, whose shot was unquestionably destined for the top corner of the net. Spanish Dave had other ideas. He somehow managed to spring to his feet and extend himself enough to palm Oviedo's shot over. It was a stunning piece of goalkeeping. It would not be the season's last.
22 November, 2014: Arsenal Away
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In truth, none of them are likely to feature in a list of De Gea's 10 most dramatic saves of the season. His stop from Jack Wilshere, though, highlighted the improvements he has made in his positioning and control over his penalty area that have been such a feature of his performances this season.
Arsenal's finishing was arguably profligate here, but De Gea certainly made it difficult for them.
2 December, 2014: Stoke City at Home
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United lived dangerously at home to Stoke City, but they were saved all three points by De Gea's last-minute heroics.
Although they had been the better side by any reasonable metric, United only had a one-goal lead as Stoke pushed desperately for an equaliser during the game's death throes.
De Gea kept out shots from Marko Arnautovic and Mame Biram Diouf in a flurry of frenetic goalkeeping. Both saves saw him channel his inner Peter Schmeichel, as he made himself big and quickly narrowed the forwards' angles.
By this point in the season, De Gea's saving United points had already become standard.
14 December, 2014: Liverpool at Home
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If the Everton game featured De Gea's most spectacular save, the Liverpool game was probably his best all-round performance.
Gary Neville made De Gea his Man of the Match during Sky's coverage. For a 'keeper to earn that in a 3-0 win is fairly unusual.
He made nine saves, but it was his denying Raheem Sterling during some key first-half one on ones that was most impressive. Sterling, able to break behind United's defence apparently at will, found himself forced into less threatening areas of the box thanks to De Gea's positioning and assertive play.
It was a sweeper-keeper performance from De Gea of the kind he has not often had to display this season. His assurance was remarkable, and he threw in a couple of fine reflex saves for good measure. His two-handed stop from Mario Balotelli's close-range effort was a highlight.
It was a well-earned clean sheet.
17 January, 2015: Queens Park Rangers Away
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Queens Park Rangers peppered United's goal with attempts, but only four required De Gea's attention thanks to defensive blocks and off-target forwards.
One of those saves, though, was an absolute peach, and this game appears on the list in tribute to it.
At 0-0, Charlie Austin let fly with a dipping volley from outside of the area that forced De Gea into a graceful, springing, one-handed stop to kept the scores level.
United went on to win the game, which was crucial, as their previous three fixtures had been two draws and a disappointing home defeat. Once again, they owed a debt to their 'keeper.
8 February, 2015: West Ham Away
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De Gea made five saves against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground, and it is the one pictured above that will live longest in the memory.
Enner Valencia's goal-bound volley was hit from six yards. De Gea's reflexes were equal to it, though, and he used his well-honed technique to force the ball up and out of play rather than back into the danger area.
United came away from east London with a draw—yet another point saved by De Gea's actions.
4 April, 2015: Aston Villa at Home
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De Gea turned out to be human after all. There was a brief run this season when his form dipped, and this game was part of that.
Perhaps he was distracted by contract issues, perhaps he was tired after coming to United's rescue so often or perhaps he just had an old-fashioned bad day at the office.
His attempt to save a Christian Benteke shot was dismal and certainly counts as his most egregious mistake of the season. His poor form would not last. He did little of note in the month of April, but May would see him back at his absolute best.
9 May, 2015: Crystal Palace Away
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The game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park turned on a moment of De Gea brilliance.
United had dominated the first half, but a raft of changes forced on the side through injuries handed the momentum to Palace after the break. Jason Puncheon equalised from a free-kick, and Glenn Murray seemed certain to give Palace the lead until De Gea intervened.
As soon as the ball broke to Murray, De Gea began a scampering, crouched run toward him to close the space. When Murray flicked the ball out of his feet, he had much less of the goal to aim at than he would have liked, and De Gea was able to extend a strong palm to deflect the ball away from the goal.
United scored on the counter soon after, earning the three points that all but assured them of Champions League football for next season.
17 May, 2015: Arsenal at Home
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Arsenal were the visitors for the last home game of United's season. It was an emotional day for De Gea, whose name was sung throughout.
There was a kind of perfect symbolism to his being injured and consequently replaced by Victor Valdes. Watching from the stands, it was hard not to think this would be the last time we would see him in a United shirt at Old Trafford.
This author captured a video of him jogging back to his goal at the start of the second half. The crowd's applause was heartfelt. If he does leave, he will be sorely missed.
All advanced statistics per Squawka.
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